Starting control for internal-combustion engines



Feb. 21, 1928. 1,659,773

w. w. HELLE STARTING CONTROL FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Jan. 22, 1926 u-m-mw I) mmmlufinmnmmumme ll ll.l Illlllil lllllllfll llllllllu Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

PATENT oFFrcs.

WARREN w. HELLE, or HINSDALE, ILLINOIS.

STARTING CONTROL FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION GINE S.

Application filed January 22, 1926 Serial No. 82,903.

"My invention relates to starting control systems for internal combustion engines, and hasto do more particularly with multiple cylinder engines and of the two cylinder type, an object being to provide an improved starting means for more positively starting the-engine.

In internal combustion engines and more particularly inthe small two cylinder type such as are used as outboard motors for boats, great-difliculty is experienced in starting such engines. At times for no apparent reason the engine may be cranked, or spun with rope, many times without getting the engine to fire and continue to run. One of the features of my invention is the provision of means whereby I have been enabled to start such engines usually with the first spin given to the fly wheel.

"Generally stated, I have found that by grounding the firing or ignition circuitleading to one of the spark plugs, that is rendering it inactive, and leaving the other one only in circuit. the engine maybe started without any diifieulty.

For better understanding of my invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing. in which- Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically the method of applying my invention to an ignition circuit of a'two cylinder engine;

Fig. 1" is a modified form;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a preferred form of switching device adapted to be incorporatedin a circuit for applying my im-. proved starting control; a

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 3.

but with the cap and switch knob removed showing the interior stationary contacts;

' Fig. 5 is aninside view of the cap of Figs. 1 and 2 showing-the wiper; and

Fig.6 shows the device applied to one of the spark plugs of a two cylinder engine.

Referring now more in detail tothe circuit arrangement of'Fig. 1, this is the circuit of a Johnson motor modified with my starting control incorporated therein and with the two spark plugs 89 of the two cylinders each one grounded in the usual way by its connection with the cylinder or engine. The

particular motor is'of the opposed cylinder type in which two charges are fired simultaneously. A source of current is provided in the formof a magneto including the fly wheel 10 with its permanent magnets cooperating with the core 11 of the induction coil having a primary winding 12 and split'secondary 13;

Ordinarily the ignition circuit is branched directly to the two spark plugs as 8' and 9, but in my improved starting control. I interpose a control element A preferably in the form of a manually operated switch adapted to render the circuit leading to one of the spark plugs inactive, by connecting the live conductor 17 to ground. Thus the spark at the other plug is intensified and a more positive starting is secured. As soon as the motor is started the switch is. operated to remove the ground and again connect the inactive plug in circuit for operation.

Included in the primary magneto circuit is. a "suitable interrupter 14: operated by the cam 15 driven by the motor, and a condenser 16.

In Figs. 2 to 5 I have shown a preferred form of switch or control device A adapted to be readily applied to various makes of outboard motors now on'the market, so that my improved starting control may be used without any change in the permanent wiring or mechanism. This switch consists of a casing including an insulating base member 20 supporting a connecting terminal 18 adapted to be appliedto the spark plug as shown in Fig. 6 so as to also support the switch. This terminal 18 is preferably of thin sheet metal as copper and is fastened to the base 20 by a screw 21. A grounding contact 22 is also attached to the base 20 by a screw 23 and extends outwardly and downwardly in the form ofa spring arm 22 adapted to press against the end of the cylinder as shown in Fig. 6 so as to ground this contact 22. Although I speak of grounding, by this is meant the common return of the circuit.- I

A central contact plate 24 is secured to the base by a terminal screw 25 to which the ignition conductor 17 is connected. A Wiper 19 for interconnecting the central plate 24 rotated into its various positions. The cover plate 27 is recessed at 27 so as to take the wiper 19, and is also grooved at 27 to fit over the contact plates 18-22 so that the top and bottom plates may be clamped together'by the three screws 29.

L Although I have shown a preferred formof switching device, it is to be understood that I contemplate employing switches of varioustypes according to the construction of the motors to which they are applied, but I'find the form herein illustrated is adaptable for use on a number of different makes of popular outboard motors now on the market, such as the Johnson and the Evenrude, to both of which I have successfully applied my invent-ion.

In applying such switch to the ignition systemof an existing motor it is desirable to remove the ignition conductor 17 from one of the spark plugs and attach the switch directly to the spark plug with the ignition wire 17 fastened to the binding post on the lower end of shaft 25 so that the ignition conductor may be operatively connected with the spark plug or grounded through the contact 22 and spring arm 22.

To start the motor the conductor 16 is grounded and the spark plug 8 rendered inoperative shifting the brush 19 to its left dotted position of Fig. 1, after which the motor is given a spin in theusual manner. It will now readily start and as soon as it is running the disconnected spark plug 8 is again rendered operative by manipulating the switch 26.

In Fig. 1 I show a modified form of switch circuit in which the ignition conductor 17 is connected permanently tothe plug 8 and both grounded when wiper 19 is switched to the contact 22 so that conductor 17 is grounded to increase the intensity of the sparking circuit and plug 8 rendered inoperative during starting. Although I have shown a manually operated switch for controlling the starting of the motor, I contemplate employing my invention in other ways, such as an automatic control for example, in which one of the spark plugs is normally inoperative and the ignition conductor 17 grounded, but as soon as the engine is running to speed the plug is automatically rendered operative and remains so until the engine stops.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. A method of startingvcontrol for simultaneously fired opposed twin cylinderv internal combustion engines with series connected spark plugs one of which is in each is operatively running.

2. A method of starting control for simultaneously fired opposed twin cylinderinternal combustion engines with series connected spark plugs one of whlch is in each cylinder, which consists of temporarily in- I tensifying the ignition circuit by rendering one of the spark plugs inactive and the other active in starting the engine, and then ren dering bothv plugs active after the engine is operatively running.

3. A starting controldevice. for internal combustion engines including a switching device having one terminal for attachment to the spark plug, a'second terminal for electrically engaging the engine body to ground said second terminal, and a contact member for connection with a' leading in ignition conductor for operatively connecting said spark plug terminal and conductor or connecting said conduct-or with said second terminal.

4. A starting control combustion engines including-a. switch casing, a terminal carried by the casing for attachment to a spark plug of the engine, a

device for internal spring contact terminal "carried by: the casing and shaped for yieldingly engaging the engine frame to ground said latter terminal, a terminal for connection with a leading in ignition conductor, and switching means for selectively operatively connecting said ignition conductor terminal andsaid two other terminals.

5. A starting control device for internal combustion engines including a switch-casing, a terminal carried by the "casing for attachment to a spark plug of the engine, said terminal supporting the device by its attachment to the spark plug, a. spring contact terminal carried by the casing and shaped for yieldingly engaging the engine frame to ground said latter terminal, a terminal for connection with a leading in ignition conductoigand switching means for connecting said ignitionconductor' terminal with said grounded terminal. 7

6. A starting control device for internal combustion engines including a switch mounting, a terminal extending from the mounting for attachmentvto a spark plug of the engine, a. second terminal on said' mounting having a yielding extension for engaging the engine frame to ground the said second terminal, a third terminal on said mounting for connection with a leading in ignition conductor, and means for con necting said third terminal with either the switch connections, for temporarily renderfirst or second terminals. ing one of said plugs inactive and intensi 7. In combination with anignition circuit fylngthe current supply to the other plug for simultaneously fired opposed twin cylinfor starting. 5 der engines having two series connected In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe spark plugs one of which is in each cylinder my name this 18th day of December, 1925. with interposed ignition current supply, of WARREN W. HELLE. 

